Romney: Cold but Cool

by Joseph Dickens-Gavito

On August 24th, 2012, The New York Times in its article titled “Romney in Crisis: Two Dark Spots in Fortunate Life” emphasized on the need for Republican Mitt Romney to show some sort of sensitive side now that next week he will officially come to be his party’s candidate in the upcoming presidential elections.

Thus far, the Republican Party has depended on a campaign displaying how they can repair the struggling economy through both Mitt Romney’s and, nominated vice-president, Paul Ryan’s business and economic know-how. Nevertheless, I agree with the article that, as the election closes in, the inevitability to show a sensible candidate who is in touch with the ordinary citizen’s needs is getting greater. Previous presidential candidates have understood this and have had moving campaigns with the objective of bonding with the voter. John McCain had a solid profile, being a war veteran who endured torture, but was ultimately topped by Barack Obama and his biracial, around-the-world family struggles. But what can a man who has always had it all in his life do to attest a connection with the ordinary American?

Romney and his aides will have to resolve if they are to use the only two difficult moments in the candidate’s life, as it can either show an ordinary man susceptible to hardship or further confirm Romney’s privileged economic standing. The first trying moment in Romney’s life occurred when he was a Mormon missionary in France and was a driver involved in an accident where one of his passengers perished. Romney was also wrongly pronounced dead but returned to duty immediately with only a broken arm. This story shows a man keen on getting the job done, no matter how crushing his atmosphere might be. But it also shows Romney’s religious past, something he has to some extent avoided and portrays him as perhaps an indifferent individual.

His second life-changing incident occurred in 1998 when Romney’s wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Romney concealed his pain and rarely spoke on the subject. He thoroughly researched the disease, did household chores, accompanied his wife to treatment and leisure activities she fancied, and even deliberated on building an elevator inside his home to make things easier. His wife overcame her illness, but even this emotional story gives us a glimpse of his family’s access to the best of medical care and their lavishness, as demonstrated with the elevator extravaganza. It also ratifies the idea of Romney as a devoted companion, yet a private person incapable to share his feelings when needed.

Not bonding with the voter might work in country like Mexico, where the presumed President-elect was the least empathic of the three candidates and enjoyed more of a rock-star lifestyle. But in the United States, where voters want to feel like they know the candidates personally, not being in touch with the general public might just ruin your odds of becoming president. Romney does appear like a man ready to be president. He looks like someone who will remain “cool” and get the job done no matter what, and that is just what the United States requires. Then again, having been born in a privileged family with a fortune at his disposal and showing little sentiments, if any, can prove too much for the Republican candidate. His team need to expose him as the answer but also as a man, and this will not happen by only taking off his corporate-suit tie and rolling up his sleeves.